(304a) Energy-Water Nexus Study for a Mushroom Farming Initiative in Nigeria

A water treatment and recycle system was designed for a mushroom farming initiative in Kaduna, Nigeria. The energy requirements of the proposed system were studied to determine the optimal system to minimize energy use for water treatment. Other considerations were ease of use and capital and operating costs.

The concept behind the cooperative is for 200 women farmers pool their resources to pay for water and energy costs. Electricity will be provided through solar panels. We were consulted to design a water treatment and recycle system for a demonstration of the concept. The concept will likely be replicated in remote areas without an abundance of water, so water recycle is essential. Reliable electricity will also likely be an issue so solar panels will be used.

The first step was to collect samples of water from the potential water source: the Kaduna River. Preliminary tests showed that the water was relatively clean but contained bacteria and some hardness. A treatment and recycle system was designed appropriate for the impurities in the water. Due to limited energy provided by the solar panels, energy requirements were studied for all appropriate treatments to minimize energy use of the final system. The final design and final energy use of the water system will be presented.